Camera body with integral strap connector

ABSTRACT

Couplers that are configured to engage with an attachment point on a camera or lens. Following general camera construction, the attachment points are typically found on the bottom of the camera or lens. The attachment points may be specifically configured to engage with the couplers. The couplers may be freely rotatable relative to the camera to prevent binding or tangling of a camera strap to which the couplers are connected.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/767,003, filed Feb. 14, 2013, which is fully incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to cameraequipment, and more particularly, to connections for straps for carryingcamera equipment.

BACKGROUND

Conventional straps help users store and transport various objects whennot in use. Such objects may include cameras, camera bags, videorecording devices, laptop bags, purses, and the like. Typically, a userwill position a strap over one of his shoulders such that the objectrests comfortably by his side. Conventional camera storage and carryingsystems help to store and transport cameras when not in use.Unfortunately, they include aspects that can hinder retrieval of acamera being stored or transported so that photographic opportunitiescan be missed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a camera transport system,shown with a camera in a resting position and a camera strap being worndiagonally across the torso of a user.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the camera transport system depicted in FIG.1, shown with the camera in a shooting position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a camera connectorcoupled to the camera of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 3 showndisconnected from the camera.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the camera connector of FIG.3.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the camera connector of FIG. 5 takensubstantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the camera connector of FIG.5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cameraconnector when disconnected from a camera.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged perspective view of the camera connector of FIG.8.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 8 when thecamera connector is coupled to the camera.

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 8 when asliding plate is moved into a closed position over the camera connector.

FIG. 9D is a sectional view of the camera connector of FIG. 8 takensubstantially along the line 9D-9D of FIG. 9C.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a cameraconnector when a plunger thereof is in a lowered position and the cameraconnector is disconnected from a camera.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 10A whenthe plunger is in a raised position and the camera connector isdisconnected from the camera.

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 10A whenthe plunger is in a raised position and the camera connector is inposition for connection to the camera.

FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 10A whenthe plunger is in a lowered position and the camera connector isconnected to the camera.

FIG. 10E is an enlarged sectional view of the camera connector of FIG.10A taken substantially along the line 10E-10E of FIG. 100.

FIG. 10F is an enlarged sectional view of the camera connector of FIG.10A taken substantially along the line 10E-10F of FIG. 10D.

FIG. 10G is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the camera connectorof FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a cameraconnector when disconnected from a camera.

FIG. 11B is a sectional view of the camera connector of FIG. 11A takensubstantially along the line 11B-11B of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 11A whenthe camera connector is connected to the camera.

FIG. 11D is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 11A whenthe camera connector is connected to the camera and a sliding plate ispositioned in a closed position over the camera connector.

FIG. 11E is a sectional view of the camera connector of FIG. 11A takensubstantially along the line 11E-11E of FIG. 11D.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a cameraconnector when disconnected from a camera.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the camera connector of FIG. 12 whenthe camera connector is connected to the camera.

FIG. 14A is an enlarged perspective view of the camera connector of FIG.12 when a ring of the camera connector is positioned in a horizontalposition and a ring support member of the camera connector is positionedin a raised position.

FIG. 14B is a sectional view of the camera connector of FIG. 14A takensubstantially along the line 14B-14B of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15A is an enlarged perspective view of the camera connector of FIG.14A when the ring is positioned in a vertical position and the ringsupport member is positioned in the raised position.

FIG. 15B is a sectional view of the camera connector of FIG. 14A takensubstantially along the line 15B-15B of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16A is an enlarged perspective view of the camera connector of FIG.14A when the ring is positioned in the vertical position and the ringsupport member is positioned in a lowered position.

FIG. 16B is a sectional view of the camera connector of FIG. 14A takensubstantially along the line 16B-16B of FIG. 16A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a camera transport system 10 including astrap 12, a camera strap connector 14, and a camera connector 16 isshown. The strap 12 is worn by a user 18. The camera connector 16 isconfigured to engage with a conventional threadable stand socket 20 (seeFIG. 4) on a camera 24 otherwise reserved for engagement with a camerastand such as a tripod, monopod, or the like. Following general cameraconstruction, the attachment point or socket 20 is found on the bottom26 of the camera body of the camera 24 or on the camera's lens. In someembodiments, the camera strap connector 14 is slidably attached to thestrap 12 to assist with repositioning of the camera 24 from a transportposition to a picture taking or “shooting” position by sliding thecamera along the strap. In the illustrated embodiment the camera strapconnector 14 is releasably attached to the camera connector 16, but mayalso be permanently attached to the camera connector or formed as anintegral component or portion of the camera connector.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the strap 12 can be worn, by the user 18,diagonally across the torso. The strap 12 can further include a varietyof adjusters (not shown) for adjusting its length, tension, and fit.Further included can be a variety of release mechanisms and fasteners,or camera movement limiting devices in the form of buckles configured tolimit the movement of the camera strap connector 14 along the strap 12.

The camera 24 may be one or more of slidably, rotatably, pivotally, andreleasably coupled to the strap 12 via the camera strap connector 14 andthe camera connector 16. The camera 24 can rest near the lower endportion of the strap 12 in various positions as desired by the user,when not in use. Such resting positions for the camera 24 can includehanging topside-down, as shown in FIG. 1.

The camera transport system 10 is depicted in FIG. 2 with the camera 24topside-up in a shooting position and being held by the user 18 forfacilitating use of the camera to take a picture. As shown, the user 18can conveniently grasp the camera 24 and raise it into shooting positionto take a photo or video. In some embodiments, the strap 12 has a flatsectional profile as shown and in other embodiments, the strap can haveother sectional profiles such as including oblong and round profiles.Any suitable material may be used to form the strap 12. One suitablematerial is nylon webbing.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate various views of the camera connector 16 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of thecamera connector 16 attached to both the camera 24 and the camera strapconnector 14. FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the cameraconnector 16 when disconnected from the camera 24 but still connected tothe camera strap connector 14. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cameraconnector 16 includes a threadable element 30 that is releasablythreadably engagable with the threaded stand socket 20 (such as a tripodor a monopod) of the camera body or lens of the camera 24.

The camera strap connector 14 includes a strap engagement portion 32 inthe form of a loop that slidably engages with the strap 12 and allowsthe camera 24 to be moved along the length of the strap, from theresting or transport location (see FIG. 1) to the shooting position (seeFIG. 2) and back again to the resting location. The camera strapconnector 14 also includes a latch portion 34 pivotably coupled to thestrap engagement portion 32, which provides for quick engagement anddisengagement with the camera connector 16 and hence allows separationof the camera 24 from the strap 12 worn by the user. The pivotalcoupling of the latch portion 34 to the strap engagement portion 32 alsopromotes proper placement of the camera 24 on the user 18, as well asprevention of binding or tangling of the strap 12. In some embodiments,the latch portion 34 is of the clip or hook type or carabineer type, andhas a gate style mechanism to permit connecting and disconnecting of itfrom a loop portion (discussed below) of the camera connector 16, whichfacilitates removal of the camera 24 from the user 18 without removingthe strap 12 from the user.

As shown in FIG. 5, the camera connector 16 includes a base 38comprising a generally cylindrically-shaped sidewall 40 having an outergripped surface 42. The various components of the camera connector 16are illustrated in FIG. 7, which is a top perspective exploded view ofthe camera connector. Many of the components of the camera connector 16are also shown in assembled form in the sectional view of FIG. 6. Thebase 38 includes a ring-shaped upper end portion 44 disposed above thesidewall 40 that has an inner edge portion 46 forming an opening havinga circumference that is smaller than an inner surface 48 of thesidewall. An interior bottom surface 50 (see FIG. 6) of the upper endportion 44 forms a downward facing shoulder that extends around theperiphery of the upper end portion 44 of the sidewall 40.

The camera connector 16 also includes a rotatable top cap 54 comprisinga generally disc-shaped base portion 56 having a top surface 58.Projecting upward from base portion 56 is a loop portion 60 comprisingtwo opposing raised portions 62A and 62B having respective apertures 64Aand 64B therein for receiving the latch portion 34 of the strapconnector 14 (see FIG. 3). In some embodiments, an insert 66 is providedthat includes an aperture 68 therein that is slightly smaller in sizethan the apertures 64A and 64B in the raised portions 62A and 62B,respectively. The insert 66 includes locking tabs 70A and 70B on each ofits ends that are insertable into corresponding tab recesses 72A and72B, respectively, disposed in the top cap 54 in between the raisedportions 62A and 62B. The insert 66 may be formed from a relatively softelastic material (e.g., rubber, plastic, etc.) so that the insert locktabs 70A and 70B can be locked or “snapped” into the tab recesses 72Aand 72B, respectively. The aperture 68 in the insert 66, being smallerin size than the apertures 64A and 64B in the raised portions 62A and62B, provides a relatively soft contact surface for the latch portion 34of the camera strap connector 14. Thus, the insert 66 acts as a noisedampener between the latch portion 34 and the camera connector 16. Suchnoise suppression may be important in certain circumstances, such aswhen the user 18 is taking pictures in a quiet setting, or when the useris recording video/audio using the camera 24 and any sound from thecamera or camera strap 12 would be undesirable.

The camera connector 16 also includes a friction-reducing top washer 76(e.g., Delrin®-Acetal washer) positionable over the top surface 58 ofthe base 56 of the top cap 54. As shown in FIG. 6, during assembly thetop cap 54 is insertable into the base 38 from below such that theraised portions 62A and 62B project upwardly through the opening definedby the inner edge 46 of the upper end portion 44 of the base. The upwardmovement of the top cap 54 is restricted by the downward facing shoulder50 of the upper end portion 44, which is in contact with the uppersurface of the top washer 76.

A friction-reducing bottom washer 78 (e.g., Delrin®-Acetal washer) isinsertable into the base 38 from below and is positionable against abottom surface 80 (see FIG. 6) of the base portion 56 of the top cap 54.A keyed threaded connector 82 is insertable into the base 38 from belowand is in a position under and contacting the bottom washer 78. Thekeyed threaded connector 82 includes a head portion 84 having keyedportions 86 that correspond to “key hole” slots or portions 88 disposedon the inner surface 48 of the sidewall 40 of the base 38. The threadedelement 30 of the camera connector 16 is formed as a part of the keyedthreaded connector 82 and extends downward from the head portion 84.Once inserted into the base 38, the keyed threaded connector 82 isrestricted from rotational movement relative to the base due to thekeyed portions 86 extending into the key hole portions 88.

The top and bottom washers 76 and 78, respectively, the top cap 54, andthe keyed threaded connector 82 are retained inside the base 38 by athreaded bottom cap 90. The bottom cap 90 includes a body portion 92having an aperture 94 therein sized to allow the threaded element 30 ofthe keyed threaded connector 82 to pass therethrough. The body portion92 of the bottom cap 90 includes exterior threads 96 along its perimeterconfigured to threadably engage interior threads 98 disposed on thelower inner surface 48 of the sidewall 40 of the base 38 so that thebottom cap may be secured to the base.

Once assembled, the top cap 54, which is disposed between the top andbottom friction-reducing washers 76 and 78, may be freely rotatedrelative to the base 38. The base 38 and the keyed threaded connector 82are fixed relative to each other and to the camera 24 when coupledthereto. Thus, when the camera strap connector 14 is coupled to thecamera connector 16 as shown in FIG. 3, the top cap 54 (and its raisedportions 62A and 62B) may freely rotate relative to the camera 24. Thisfeature prevents binding or tangling of the strap 12.

Since the keyed threaded connector 82 is fixed relative to the base 38,a user may grasp the gripped surface 42 of the base and couple thecamera connector 16 to the socket 20 of the camera 24 by placing thethreaded portion 30 into the socket and rotating the camera connectorrelative to the camera in a first rotational direction to advance thethreaded portion 30 into the socket. When the user wishes to remove thecamera connector 16 from the camera 24, the user may similarly grasp thegripped surface 42 and rotate the camera connector relative to thecamera in an opposite second rotational direction.

FIGS. 8 and 9A-9D illustrate a second embodiment of a camera connector100. The camera connector 100 includes a strap coupling portion 102 inthe form of a loop for coupling to a camera strap 12′. The cameraconnector 100 also includes a camera coupling portion 104 comprising adisc-shaped plate 106. The camera coupling portion 104 is coupled to thestrap coupling portion 102 via a neck portion 108. The plate 106comprises a plurality of ball bearings 110 protruding outwardly aroundthe circumference thereof. In some embodiments, the plurality of ballbearings 110 are biased outward by a biasing mechanism positioned withinthe plate 106. For example, the biasing mechanism may comprise one ormore springs positioned inside the plate 106 configured to bias each ofthe ball bearings 110 outward.

In this embodiment, the bottom surface 26 of the camera 24 includes acircular-shaped cavity 112 formed within a rectangular recessed portion114. A sidewall 116 of the cavity 112 curved inward to form a ballbearing race or groove shaped to receive the plurality of ball bearings110, as may best be seen in FIG. 9D. An upper rim portion 118 (orlocking portion) of the cavity 112 may be sized to be slightly largerthan the diameter of the plate 106 but slightly smaller than thediameter of the plate including the ball bearings 110 protruding fromthe plate. Thus, when a user moves the camera coupling portion 104toward the cavity 112, the upper rim portion 118 of the cavity forcesthe ball bearings 110 inward as the camera coupling portion 104 ispressed downward into the cavity. Once the plate 106 has been insertedinto the cavity 112 such that a top surface 120 of the plate issubstantially coplanar with the upper rim 118 of the cavity 112, theball bearings 110 again move outward due to their outward bias force andto position the ball bearings in the ball bearing groove 114 formed bythe sidewall of the cavity. This configuration forms a “snap fit” whichretains the camera connector 100 in a coupled configuration with thecamera 24.

Also disposed within the recessed portion 114 is a sliding plate 124comprising a grip tab 126 and first and second spaced apart prongs 128Aand 128B forming an opening 130 therebetween. The opening 130 betweenthe first and second prongs 128A and 128B is sized to receive the neckportion 108 of the camera connector 100 when the user slides the slidingplate 124 from an open position shown in FIG. 9B to a closed positionshown in FIG. 9C. To move the sliding plate 124 from the opened positionto the closed position and vice versa, the user may apply a horizontalforce to the grip tab 126. Since the width of the opening 130 of thesliding plate is greater than the size of the neck portion 108 butsmaller than the diameter of the plate 106, the sliding plate acts tosecure the camera connector 100 to the camera 24 by restricting thevertical movement of the camera coupling portion 104 away from thecamera 24 when the sliding plate is in the closed position.

Once the camera connector 100 is coupled to the camera 24, the ballbearings 110 within the ball bearings groove 116 allow the cameracoupling portion 104 to freely rotate relative to the cavity 112 about avertical axis of the cavity, such that the camera connector may freelyrotate relative to the camera during use.

When the user wishes to decouple the camera connector 100 from thecamera 24, the user may first slide the sliding plate 124 from theclosed position shown in FIG. 9C into the open position shown in FIG.9B. The user may then grasp the strap 12′ or the strap coupling portion102 of the camera connector 100 and apply an upward force theretosufficient to overcome the “snap fit” force between the ball bearings110 and the upper rim portion 118 of the cavity 112 so the ball bearings110 move upward and the plate 106 is removable from the cavity 112.

By providing the cavity 112 and sliding plate 124 within the recessedportion 114, the overall height of the camera 24 is maintained. That is,the cavity 112 and sliding plate 124 do not increase the form factor ofthe bottom surface 26 of the camera 24.

FIGS. 10A-G illustrate another embodiment of a camera 140 includingcomponents for coupling the camera to a camera strap 12″. The componentsin this embodiment include a camera mounted part or post 142 coupled tothe camera 140 within a recessed portion or cavity 144 in the bottom ofthe camera, and a strap coupled part 146 coupled to a strap portion 148of the strap 12″. These components allow the strap 12″ to pivot freelyrelative to the camera 140, and may be quickly and easily manipulated todisconnect or connect the strap from or to the camera.

The camera mounted post 142, as best shown in FIGS. 10A and 10E, is aunitary member having a head portion 150 at its upper or outer end whichis above a neck portion 152 of smaller diameter with the head portionand neck portion being separated from one another by a downwardly angledradial shoulder 154. Below the neck portion 152 is a larger diameterbase portion 156 which engages a floor 158 of the cavity 144. The headportion 150 of the post 142 includes a cylindrical opening 160 and thebase portion 156 of the post has a smaller diameter opening therethroughand aligned with a threaded opening 166 in the camera 140. A screw 162has a head 163 positioned in the opening 160 and a shank 164 thatextends through and beyond the lower end of the post 142 and isthreadably received in the threaded opening 166 in the camera 140 to fixthe post 142 to the camera 140.

As shown best in FIGS. 10A and 10G, the strap coupled part 146 includesa body having a receiver portion 170 and an upper portion 172. Thereceiver portion 170 defines a receiver cavity 174 that comprises alaterally facing mouth 176. The receiver portion 170 also comprises aslot 178 which extends inwardly from the mouth 176 and which is definedby a generally U-shaped lower edge 180, as shown in FIG. 10G.

The cavity 174 is sized to accommodate the head portion 150 of the post142 therein, wherein the head portion 150 is movable into and out of thecavity 174 through the mouth 176 with the neck portion 152 of the post142 at the same time extending through and moving along the slot 178.For this reason, two parallel portions 178A and 1788 of the slot 178 arespaced from one another by a distance which is only slightly greaterthan the diameter of the neck portion 152 of the post 142 but which isless than the diameter of the head portion 150.

The marginal portions of a bottom wall 181 adjacent the slot 178 engagethe shoulder 154 (see FIG. 10E) on the post 142 to prevent the post andstrap coupled part 146 from moving any way other than laterally androtatively relative to one another.

To hold the post 142 and strap coupled part 146 in a connectedcondition, the upper portion 172 of the body of the strap coupled part146 carries a vertically movable plunger 182 which is biased by a spring184 into a lower-limited position shown in FIGS. 10D and 1OF and whichis manually movable to an upper-limited position shown in FIGS. 10C and10E. The plunger 182 has a lower end portion 186 which, in the lowerposition of the plunger, is received in the opening 160 of the post 142.This locks the post 142 to the strap coupled part 146 to prevent thesetwo parts from moving laterally relative to one another, butnevertheless, the two parts are free to move pivotally relative to oneanother about a common central axis of the plunger and post. When theplunger 182 is moved manually to its upper-limited position (FIGS. 10Cand 10E), the lower end portion 186 of the plunger is moved out of theopening 160 of the post head 150 to allow the post 142 to be movedfreely into and out of the receiving cavity 174 of the strap coupledpart 146.

The upper portion 172 of the strap coupled portion 146 has a lower bore190 which slidably receives the lower end portion 186 of the plunger182, and an upper bore 192 which slidably engages an upper portion 194of the plunger. The plunger 182 has a stop ring 196 affixed thereto at alocation to be between the lower and upper bores 190 and 192. The spring184, which biases the plunger 182 to its lower-limited position, isreceived between the upper bore 192 and the stop ring 196. When theplunger 182 is moved to its upper-limited position the spring 184 iscompressed between a stop ring 196 coupled to the plunger 182 and a topend 198 or shoulder of the upper portion below the upper bore 192. Thestop ring 196 is axially fixed to the plunger 182 and is engageable witha lower shoulder 200 above the lower bore 190 to define thelower-limited position of the plunger. A knob 202 coupled to (e.g.,threaded onto) the upper end of the upper portion 194 of the plunger 182provides a convenient means for manually grasping the plunger 182 tomove it from its lower to its upper-limited position for detachment ofthe strap coupled part 146 from the post 142, and hence from the camera140.

FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate various views of another embodiment of a cameraconnector 210 that is couplable to a camera 212. The camera connector210 comprises a hollow base portion 214 and a strap coupling portion 216each having a rod (218 and 220, respectively) connected thereto. Therods 218 and 220 are coaxially pivotably coupled together such that thebase portion 214 and the strap coupling portion 216 may freely rotaterelative to each other. As shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 11B and11E, the base portion 214 includes a spring 222 housed therein that iscoupled between two locking members 224A and 224B that extend outwardfrom opposite open ends of the base portion. The locking members 224Aand 224B each include a locking tab 226A and 226B, respectively,positioned on a top surface thereof. The locking tabs 226A and 226B maybe grasped by a user in order to move the locking members 224A and 224Btoward each other against the outward bias of the spring 222.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a bottom surface 228 of the camera 212includes recessed portion 230 that includes a cavity 232 having a shapeconfigured to receive the base portion 214 and the locking members 224Aand 224B of the camera connector 210. As shown in FIGS. 11C and 11E, thebase portion 214 and locking members 224A and 224B of the cameraconnector 210 are insertable into the cavity 232 positioned in thebottom surface 228 of the camera 212. As shown in FIGS. 11B and 11E, thebottom surface 228 of the camera 212 near the cavity 232 includesinward-facing flange or locking portions 234A and 234B that extendpartially over opposing end portions of the cavity 232. The flangeportions 234A and 234B are spaced apart from each other by a distancethat is slightly smaller than the distance between outermost portions ofthe locking members 224A and 224B. Thus, when the base portion 214 isinserted into the cavity 232, the flange portions 234A and 234B engagelower upwardly and outwardly angled surfaces 236A and 236B,respectively, (see FIG. 11B) of the locking members 224A and 224B andforce the locking members inward against the bias of the spring 222.Once the base portion 214 and locking members 224A and 224B have beenfully inserted into the cavity 232, the locking members are below theflange portions 234A and 234B, respectively, which allows the lockingmembers under the outward bias force of the spring 222 to move outwardinto a locked position (see FIG. 11E) whereat the flange portions areinward of the flange portions 234A and 234B of the camera 212 and hencerestrict the vertical movement of the base portion and lock members byacting on respective shoulder portions 238A and 238B of the lock members224A and 224B when an upward force is applied to the camera connector210 relative to the camera 212.

When a user wishes to remove the camera connector 210 from the camera212, the user asserts inward forces on the locking tabs 226A and 226B(e.g., by pinching the locking tabs toward each other) to move thelocking members 224A and 224B inward such that the shoulders 238A and238B are clear of the respective flange portions 234A and 234B so thatthe camera connector may be lifted vertically without the shoulderportions contacting the flange portions.

Disposed within the recessed portion 230 in the bottom surface 228 ofthe camera 212 is a sliding plate 240 comprising a raised grip tab 242and first and second spaced apart prongs 244A and 244B forming anopening 246 therebetween. The opening 246 between the first and secondprongs 244A and 244B, respectively, is sized to receive the locking tabs226A and 226B and the post 218 of the camera connector 210 between thefirst and second prongs 244A and 244B when the user slides the slidingplate 240 from an open position shown in FIGS. 11A-C to a closedposition shown in FIGS. 11D-E. To move the sliding plate 240 from theopened position to the closed position and vice versa, the user mayapply a horizontal force to the raised grip tab 242 of the slidingplate. When in the closed position, the sliding plate 240 providesadditional support for securing the camera connector 210 within thecavity 232 and to the camera 212 to prevent accidental disconnection ofthe camera connector from the camera.

Once the camera connector 210 is coupled to the camera 212, thepivotally connected base 214 allows the camera connector 210 to freelyrotate relative to the camera during use.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14A-B, 15A-B, and 16A-B illustrate another embodiment of acamera connector 250. In this embodiment, the camera connector 250comprises a cylindrical body portion 252 having an upward-facing cavity254 therein which houses a spring 256 (see FIG. 14B). The cameraconnector 250 further includes a ring support member 258 having a lowerflange portion 260. The ring support member 258 is positionablepartially within the cavity 254 so that the flange portion 260compresses the spring 256. A cap member 262 having an aperture 264therein is positionable over the ring support member 258. The aperture264 of the cap member 262 is sized to restrict the vertical movement ofthe ring support member 258 due to its diameter being smaller than theflange portion 260 of the ring support member. The cap member 262 may besecured to the body portion 252 of the camera connector 252 using screws266 (see FIG. 14A) or any other suitable fastener or means. Afriction-reducing washer 268 (e.g., Delrin®-Acetal washer) may bepositioned above the flange portion 260 of the ring support member 258and below the cap member 262 so that the ring support member may freelyrotate relative to the body portion 252.

An upper portion 270 of the ring support member 258 includes opposingring recesses 272A and 272B configured to receive respective ends 274Aand 274B of a D-ring 276. The ring 276 includes spaced-apart left andright base portions 278A and 278B and a curved portion 278C extendingbetween the left and right base portions. When coupled to the ringsupport member 258, the ring 276 forms a loop configured to receive thestrap connector 14, as described above.

The camera connector 250 also includes a threaded shaft 280 extendingdownward from the body portion 252 that is configured to threadablyengage with the socket 20 positioned in the bottom surface 26 of thecamera 24.

As discussed above, the ring support member 258 and the ring 276 arefreely rotatable relative to the body portion 252. In order to allow auser to grasp the ring 276 while threadably engaging and disengaging thecamera connector 250 from the camera 24, a feature is provided whichallows the user to temporarily fix the rotational position between ringand the body portion. To achieve this, the cap member 262 includes aleft groove 282A and a right groove 282B configured to receive a lowerportion of the left base 278A and right base 278B, respectively, of thering 276. As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a user may exert a downwardforce on the ring 276 and ring support member 258 to overcome the biasof the spring 256 such that the left base 278A and right base 278B ofthe ring 276 enter the left groove 282A and the right groove 282B,respectively (or vice versa when the ring is rotatable 180° relative tothe cap member). In this position, the ring 276 and the body portion 252are temporarily rotationally fixed relative to each other so that theuser may apply a rotational force to the ring which is transmitted tothe body portion 252 to rotate the threaded shaft 280 to threadablyengage or disengage the camera connector 250 from the camera 24. As canbe appreciated, this feature provides a relatively large “tool” for theuser to grasp when connecting and disconnecting the camera connector 250from the camera 24. Once the user releases the ring 276, the spring 256forces the ring support member 256 upward away from the camera 24 intothe position shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B whereat the ring is once againfreely rotatable relative to the body portion 252. As discussed abovewith reference to other embodiments, the ability of the ring 276 tofreely rotate prevents binding or tangling of the camera strap 12.

The foregoing embodiments depict different components contained within,or connected with, different other components. It is to be understoodthat such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in factmany other architectures can be implemented which achieve the samefunctionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components toachieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that thedesired functionality is achieved. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from this invention and its broader aspects and,therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope allsuch changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scopeof this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that theinvention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will beunderstood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein,and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appendedclaims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.).

It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intentwill be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of suchrecitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations).

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appendedclaims.

1.-9. (canceled)
 10. A connection system for coupling a camera and acamera strap together, the connection system comprising: a camera havinga mounting member secured to the camera and projecting from a surface ofthe camera; and a connector having a camera connector portion and acamera strap coupling portion, the camera strap coupling portion beingcouplable to the camera strap, and the camera connector portion having areceiver portion sized to removably receive and releasably retain themounting member therein.
 11. The connection system of claim 10, whereinthe camera includes a recess within which the mounting member islocated.
 12. The connection system of claim 10, wherein the mountingmember has a head portion and a neck portion, the neck portion beingpositioned between the head portion and the surface of the camera fromwhich the mounting member projects and having a transverse size smallerthan the transverse size of the head portion, and wherein the cameraconnector portion has a receiver cavity with a first cavity portionsized to receive therein the head portion of the mounting member and asecond cavity portion sized to receive therein the neck portion of themounting member, the second cavity portion having at least a portionthereof with a transverse size smaller than the transverse size at leasta portion of the head portion of the mounting member to limit movementof the camera connector portion away from the surface of the camera fromwhich the mounting member projects when the mounting member ispositioned within the receiver cavity of the camera connector portion,the receiver cavity further having a laterally facing opening with afirst opening portion sized to allow the head portion to pass laterallytherethrough and a second opening portion sized to allow the neckportion to pass laterally therethrough, the mounting member furtherincluding a lock opening and the camera connector portion furtherincluding a lock member selectively movable into and out of the lockopening when the head portion of the mounting member is received withinthe first cavity portion of the camera connector and the neck portion ofthe mounting member is received within the second cavity portion of thecamera connector, wherein when the mounting member is within thereceiver cavity and the locking member is in the locking opening of themounting member, the mounting member cannot fully pass laterally throughthe laterally facing opening of the receiver cavity for disconnection ofthe camera connector from the mounting member, and when the mountingmember is within the receiver cavity and the locking member is out ofthe locking opening of the mounting member, the mounting member canfully pass laterally through the laterally facing opening of thereceiver cavity for disconnection of the camera connector from themounting member.
 13. The connection system of claim 12, wherein thecamera connector portion has an locking member support portionpositioned adjacent to the receiver cavity with an aperture extendingtherethrough and communicating with the receiver cavity, and wherein thelock member is supported by the locking member support portion formovement between a locked position where an end portion of the lockingmember extends into the receiver cavity and into the lock opening whenthe head portion of the mounting member is received within the firstcavity portion of the camera connector and the neck portion of themounting member is received within the second cavity portion of thecamera connector, and an unlocked position where the end portion of thelocking member is out of the locking opening when the head portion ofthe mounting member is received within the first cavity portion of thecamera connector and the neck portion of the mounting member is receivedwithin the second cavity portion of the camera connector.
 14. Theconnection system of claim 13, wherein the lock member is slidablydisposed within the aperture of the locking member support portion formovement between the locked position and the unlocked position.
 15. Theconnection system of claim 12, wherein the lock member of the cameraconnector portion is a manually operable plunger such that the mountingmember cannot fully pass laterally through the lateralling facingopening of the receiver cavity for disconnection of the camera connectorfrom the mounting member.
 16. The connection system of claim 15, furtherincluding a spring engaging the plunger to bias the plunger toward thelock opening of the mounting member
 17. The connection system of claim12, wherein the first and second cavity portions are sized and shaped topermit the rotation of the camera connector portion about the mountingmember when the mounting member is within the receiver cavity and thelocking member is in the locking opening of the mounting member andthereby preventing the disconnection of the camera connector from themounting member.
 18. The connection system of claim 10, wherein themounting member has a mounting member shoulder portion, and wherein thecamera connector portion has a receiver portion sized to receive andreleasably retain the mounting member therein, the receiver portionhaving a receiver shoulder portion positionable between the mountingmember shoulder portion and the surface of the camera from which themounting member projects, the receiver shoulder portion being sized andpositioned to engage the mounting member shoulder portion to limitmovement of the camera connector portion away from the surface of thecamera from which the mounting member projects when the mounting memberis positioned within receiver portion, the receiver portion furtherhaving a side opening sized to allow the mounting member to passlaterally therethrough, the mounting member further including a lockopening and the camera connector portion further including a lock memberselectively movable into and out of the lock opening when the mountingmember is received within the receiver portion, wherein when themounting member is within the receiver portion and the locking member isin the locking opening of the mounting member, the mounting membercannot fully pass laterally through the side opening of the receiverportion for disconnection of the camera connector from the mountingmember, and when the mounting member is within the receiver portion andthe locking member is out of the locking opening of the mounting member,the mounting member can fully pass laterally through the side opening ofthe receiver portion for disconnection of the camera connector from themounting member.
 19. The connection system of claim 18, wherein thereceiver portion is sized and shaped to permit the rotation of thecamera connector portion about the mounting member when the mountingmember is within the receiver portion and the locking member is in thelocking opening of the mounting member and thereby preventing thedisconnection of the camera connector from the mounting member.
 20. Theconnection system of claim 10, wherein the mounting member has amounting member shoulder portion, and wherein the camera connectorportion has a receiver portion sized to receive and releasably retainthe mounting member therein, the receiver portion having a receivershoulder portion positionable between the mounting member shoulderportion and the surface of the camera from which the mounting memberprojects, the receiver shoulder portion being sized and positioned toengage the mounting member shoulder portion to limit movement of thecamera connector portion away from the surface of the camera from whichthe mounting member projects when the mounting member is positionedwithin receiver portion, the receiver portion further having a sideopening sized to allow the mounting member to pass laterallytherethrough, the camera connector portion further including a lockmember selectively movable into and out of locking engagement with themounting member when the mounting member is received within the receiverportion, wherein when the mounting member is within the receiver portionand the locking member is in locking engagement with the mountingmember, the mounting member is restrained from fully passing laterallythrough the side opening of the receiver portion for disconnection ofthe camera connector from the mounting member, and when the mountingmember is within the receiver portion and the locking member is out oflocking engagement with the mounting member, the mounting member is notrestrained from fully passing laterally through the side opening of thereceiver portion for disconnection of the camera connector from themounting member.
 21. The connection system of claim 20, wherein thereceiver portion is sized and shaped to permit the rotation of thecamera connector portion about the mounting member when the mountingmember is within the receiver portion and the locking member is inlocking engagement with the mounting member.
 22. A connection system forcoupling a camera and a camera strap together, the connection systemcomprising: a mounting member attachable to the camera with the mountingmember projecting from a surface of the camera at which attached; and aconnector having a camera connector portion and a camera strap couplingportion, the camera strap coupling portion being couplable to the camerastrap, and the camera connector portion having a receiver portionconfigured to rotatably and removably receive the mounting membertherein.
 23. The connection system of claim 22, wherein the mountingmember has a mounting member shoulder portion, and wherein the cameraconnector portion has a receiver portion sized to receive and releasablyretain the mounting member therein, the receiver portion having areceiver shoulder portion positionable between the mounting membershoulder portion and the surface of the camera from which the mountingmember projects, the receiver shoulder portion being configured toengage the mounting member shoulder portion to limit movement of thecamera connector portion away from the surface of the camera from whichthe mounting member projects when the mounting member is positionedwithin receiver portion, the receiver portion further having a sideopening sized to allow the mounting member to pass laterallytherethrough, the camera connector portion further including a lockmember selectively movable into and out of locking engagement with themounting member when the mounting member is received within the receiverportion, wherein when the mounting member is within the receiver portionand the locking member is in locking engagement with the mountingmember, the mounting member is restrained from fully passing laterallythrough the side opening of the receiver portion for disconnection ofthe camera connector from the mounting member, and when the mountingmember is within the receiver portion and the locking member is out oflocking engagement with the mounting member, the mounting member is notrestrained from fully passing laterally through the side opening of thereceiver portion for disconnection of the camera connector from themounting member.
 24. A connection system for coupling a camera and acamera strap together, the connection system comprising: a camera havinga connection cavity in a surface portion of the camera, the connectioncavity having a locking portion; and a connector having a cameraconnector portion and a camera strap coupling portion, the camera strapcoupling portion being couplable to the camera strap, and the cameraconnector portion being sized to be inserted into the connection cavityand releasably secured within the connection cavity by the lockingportion.
 25. The connection system of claim 24, wherein the cameraconnector portion is pivotably coupled to the camera strap couplingportion.
 26. The connection system of claim 24, wherein the cameraconnector portion is rotatable relative to the camera when the cameraconnector portion is secured within the connection cavity by the lockingportion.
 27. The connection system of claim 24, wherein the lockingportion comprises spaced-apart end members of the connection cavitydefining a connection cavity opening therebetween, the camera connectionportion being adjustable between a first position having a largerfootprint than the connection cavity opening and a second positionhaving a smaller footprint than the connection cavity opening.
 28. Theconnection system of claim 27, wherein the camera connection portion isautomatically moved from the first position to the second position inresponse to the camera connection portion engaging the spaced-apart endmembers of the connection cavity as being moved into the connectioncavity.
 29. The connection system of claim 28, wherein the cameraconnection portion is automatically moved from the second position tothe first position when the camera connection portion is substantiallyfully positioned inside the connection cavity and clear of thespace-apart end members of the connection cavity.
 30. The connectionsystem of claim 24, wherein the locking portion comprises spaced-apartend members of the connection cavity defining a connection cavityopening therebetween, and the camera connection portion includesspaced-apart end members being movable between a first position having alarger footprint than the connection cavity opening and a secondposition having a smaller footprint than the connection cavity opening,and a biasing member configured to bias the spaced-apart end members ofthe camera connection portion toward the first position.
 31. Theconnection system of claim 24, further comprising a sliding platedisposed for displacement between a locked position whereat the slidingplate is positioned in alignment with the connection cavity to restrictthe movement of the camera connector portion away from the camera whenthe camera connector portion is positioned inside the connection cavity,and an unlocked position whereat the sliding plate is not aligned withthe connection cavity and permits the camera connector portion to beinserted into and removed from the connection cavity.